I have often mentioned that I am an atheist.
So, why did I write that title to this diary?
As you can see by Itzl's concerned look, this group is for us to check in at, to let people know we are alive, doing OK, and not affected by such things as heat, blizzards, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, or other such things that could keep us off Daily Kos. If you're not here, or anywhere else on Daily Kos, and there are adverse conditions in your area (floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, etc.), we are going to check up on you. If you are going to be away from your computer for a day or a week, let us know here. We care!
IAN is a great group to join, and a good place to learn to write diaries. Drop one of us a PM to be added to the Itzl Alert Network anytime! We all share the publishing duties, and we welcome everyone who reads IAN to write diaries for the group! Every member is an editor, so anyone can take a turn when they have something to say, photos and music to share, a cause to promote or news!
This is our current schedule of regular IAN diary writers:
Monday: Youffraita
Tuesday: bigjacbigjacbigjac
Wednesday: Pam from Calif
Thursday: art ah zen
Friday: FloridaSNMOM
Saturday: FloridaSNDad
Sunday: loggersbrat
The little dog is named Itzl.
I am saying that rather than any invisible, supernatural god, I have family, friends, and neighbors, including you, my IAN friends.
I do not hate anyone, and I respect your religion, pretty much whatever it is.
I was a Protestant Christian for about ten years, and a Catholic for about twenty years.
So I understand mainstream religious beliefs.
And I like most parts of the Bible.
Here are the things I no longer believe in:
- God.
- Angels and demons.
- Life after death, heaven and hell.
- The inner person.
- Free will.
- Sin.
You see, if there is no inner person who has free will, there is no sin.
All events in the universe, including all human actions, are accidents, caused by all the previous accidents.
So, if I feel bad, because I could have done more for my first wife, Pam, and I could have done more for my second wife, Tonia, I can feel some bad feelings, but there is no free will. It was all a series of accidents. I have no need to fear hell. I have no need to forgive myself. No sin means no need to forgive. I simply think about whatever I did or failed to do, feel somewhat bad, and relax, and let it all go.
And move forward with positive interaction with family, friends, and neighbors, including you, my IAN friends.
So, what are all these gods and goddesses?
Well, the whole universe is my god.
But then, mainly, the Earth and the Sun and everything on Earth.
(The moon, the planets, and the stars, are mainly nice decorations to enjoy looking at.)
The sun warms me, directly, and causes the plants to make the food that we all eat, including the animals, chickens and cows, so I can have eggs and milk. (Aside from meat.)
And I like the plants. They have a nice personality.
And I like the animals, like those in the picture at the top.
But especially, I like my fellow humans.
So, I am a humanist, worshiping by way of serving, my fellow humans.
Now there is, it seems to me, no actual selfless service.
Not ever.
Not possible.
I am completely selfish, at all times, in every way.
However, in order to serve myself, I must act like the dog and cat in the picture.
I must interact, in a friendly way, with family, friends, and neighbors.
Then I get the emotional support I need.
So, my many gods and goddesses include the sun, the plants, the animals, and, especially, my fellow humans, such as you, my IAN friends.
Hugs!